After a heartbreaking loss against the Kerala Blasters in their last game, the Men of Steel geared up for their second match against FC Goa. In the previous clash, FC Goa closed the game with a dramatic last-minute goal from a corner set-piece. Regardless of the setbacks in the league, Jamshedpur FC rolled up their sleeves to avenge their defeat against the Gaurs at the Fatorda stadium.
The match kicked-off with Jamshedpur taking the game underway. They did not spare any time to increase the pressure on the opposition as two Jamshedpur players charged on one FC Goa player. Close calls came for both sides as they kept pushing to take the early lead but both keepers made sure to keep the ball out at all costs. Jamshedpur midfielder, Isaac, almost scored his first goal for the team with a powerful low shot aimed at the right corner. Unfortunately, the keeper dived to block the ball away from going into the net. On the other hand, Rehenesh too saved two of the attempts made by the FC Goa attacking line-up.
Even without Igor Angulo in the starting XI, FC Goa maintained their fast-paced attacking tactic with multiple attacks on the Jamshedpur side. The rapid through balls and counter-attacks from the Goan side helped them get the early advantage as Alberto Noguero beat his marker at the right flank and crossed the ball into the box where Jorge Ortiz waited completely unmarked. The Spaniard got a perfect shot on the ball which led the ball straight into the right corner. Unfortunately, Rehenesh was too far to get his gloves on the ball and Ortiz scored his 3rd goal of the season while taking FC Goa to the lead.
With the hosts leading early in the game, Jamshedpur decided to turn things up a notch and took their attacking game to a higher level with multiple attacks from the middle. However, Naveen Kumar (FC Goa goalkeeper) kept blocking Jamshedpur FC’s attempts on target, and that’s how a lively first half came to an end with FC Goa leading by one goal.
The second half kicked off with even more energy as FC Goa kept the ball possession to themselves and did not let Jamshedpur get their foot on the ball. Jamshedpur managed to enter the FC Goa box but failed to convert those chances into goals. In a few minutes, the contest grew even more intense. FC Goa extended their lead even further after a pin-point cross from Brandon Fernandes who found Ortiz in the middle yet again with no marker. Ortiz easily added a bounce to the ball which caught Rehenesh totally off-guard and the ball hit the post. Rehenesh, who had dived to the right side, was completely helpless as the ball found its way into the net.
The match reached its maximum heat as a fight erupted in the middle of the field as all the players from both sides charged at each other in anger. However, the referee broke the fight apart and told the teams to continue the match. Both teams after a heated exchange continued the game with full intent to score goals. Jamshedpur almost netted their first goal through a corner kick as the ball was lobbed in towards Eze. Eze made a solid attempt to score with a header but Naveen Kumar once again came to Goa’s rescue with a save right on the goal line.
In the final moments of the match, Jamshedpur FC once again almost scored a goal as Jacki chipped the ball over the keeper. Unfortunately, an FC Goa player was already standing on the goal line and he successfully headed the ball away from danger. Even though time was running out, it seemed like FC Goa wasn’t done yet. Just when it seemed the heated contest of football might come to an end with two goals for the hosts, FC Goa unleashed yet another attack towards the Jamshedpur box with Albert Noguera supplying his second assist of the game to Ivan Gonzalez. Ivan ran into the box and sneakily chipped the ball in between Rehenesh and Ricky thus sealing the deal for Goa with 3 goals and a clean sheet.
And that’s how Jamshedpur FC’s night came to an end with yet another disheartening loss.
